Historic Downtown Walking Trail

Rutherfordton has a long and rich history full of intrigue, war, mystery and of course, gold. Many of the downtown buildings and homes stand as proudly as they did nearly 200 years ago. Today, you can view these significant historical structures as you stroll through the streets of Rutherfordton and explore:

- The 1838 home of Christopher Bechtler - jeweler, gunsmith and minter of America's first one-dollar gold coin
- The path of the Overmountain Men on their way to the battle of Kings Mountain
- The only remaining cluster of antebellum homes in the southern foothills of North Carolina
- The final resting place of Civil War soldiers

Can't get enough? You're in luck, this entire tour is available online with additional pictures and extended history about each point of interest. You can even follow along as you walk, using your smartphone to scan the QR code on the plaque in front of each property.

  • Main St.

Rutherfordton has a long and rich history full of intrigue, mystery and of course, gold. Many of the downtown buildings and homes stand as they did close to 200 years ago, and now you can tour them as you stroll through the streets of Rutherfordton and explore: - The home of…